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Oct. 4- Kids Run Free at Freedom’s Run

By Staff | Sep 29, 2014

We are faced as a notion with the challenge of increasing outdoor activity. Freedom’ Run wants to be part of the solution by giving kids the opportunity to line up and run alongside other youth as well as adults. Freedom’s Run will again offer discount entry for all youth in the 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon runs. And as always the youngest will run for free in the kids one mile fun run which routes through historic Shepherdstown. All events finish on the 50 yard line at Ram Stadium. Race Date October 4.

Register for events online at www.Freedomsrun.org. Runners 18 and under can use code “Youth10” for $10 off race entry. Free kids fun run registration on this page too. There will be race weekend registration Friday October 3 at the Shepherd Wellness Center 12-8 and on site at Midway Field Saturday October 4th before the events.

Freedom’s Run was faced with an unpredictable challenge in its 5th year with the Government Shutdown. Most events involving federal land or facilities canceled. In the spirit of our State, we chose to soldier on and completely redesign a course and logistics in two weeks. The result was 2000 runners from 40 states returning to make Freedom’s Run a National Event. We thank our wonderful community for this.

West Virginia is often viewed as an unhealthy place to live. Much of this opinion unfortunately comes from real data. We are the #2 most obese state and #50 when it comes to trails. 6 years ago with the help of local partnerships Freedom’s Run set out to change that. The event now draws runners from over 40 states and is the largest in West Virginia.

The idea was to put on an event that gave citizens awareness of healthy living, promote outdoor activity, and in the process discover the rich history of the area- an Event for Health and Heritage. A collaborative group between leads at the Eastern Area Health Education Center, WVU Eastern Education Division/University Health Care, the National Park Service, Shepherd University, local citizens and businesses, teamed to create Freedom’s Run. Freedom’s Run offer opportunity for all to engage in a new challenge with 5 events- 1 mile kids fun run, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon.

Over $100,000 has directly gone back to the community and additional grants have been acquired with the assistance we have given.

Completed Projects and Contributions Include

Page Jackson Community Trail and Garden

South Jefferson Elementary Outdoor Classroom and Trail

Driswood Elementary Fitness Trail

Rebuilt TA Lowery Elementary Greenhouse

Large Financial support to toward Hedgesville HS track

CW Shipley Fitness Trail

C&O NHP Canal Classrooms

Jefferson Arts Council

Corporation of Shepherdstown Fitness Center at Cullison Park

Canal Towns Partnership

Shepherd University Foundation

Shepherd University Athletic Department

WVU Foundation

Girls On the Run

Kids Run the Nation RRCA

The Freedom’s Run Team has also created additional events in the community for other non profits and lends large support to a growing number of events. The Eastern Panhandle now hosts over 20 events, all increasing in size. Five years ago there were 3. There are also newly formed youth running clubs using the school based trails as well as school children participating in a county wide initiative called “Trail Time” during the school day.

The historical route and race organization has earned a “Top 25 Half Marathon” by Runner’s World Magazine in February 2013 and is the Highlight Race in October 2013 Runner’s World. Freedom’s Run is listed as a “Must Do” race in Competitor Magazine September 2014.

The team’s goal is to build a fitness trail at every grade school in Jefferson and Berkeley county that desires one.

The weekend includes a Sports and Fitness Expo at the Wellness Center Friday October 3, a Pasta Dinner at the shepherd University Dining Hall Friday evening, and the annual post race Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Inn. For more information and to register now go to www.freedomsrun.org . Or come in to Freedom’s Run HQ Two Rivers Treads in Downtown Shepherdstown www.tworiverstreads.com or phone 304-876-1101.